A tent on the South Lawn at the White House for a dinner for Africa leaders on Aug. 5. / Charles Dharapak AP

by Maria Puente, USA TODAY

by Maria Puente, USA TODAY

The White House dinner tonight for 50 African leaders (and their spouses) in Washington for a summit is underway.

The guest list is out, and the number of boldfaced names recognizable to celebrity trackers is sparse.

Lionel Richie is booked to perform at the shindig, taking place in a tent on the South Lawn, and is expected to deliver some of his past hits, such as All Night Long and Say You (Say Me).

Plenty of the usual crowd of Washington poohbahs are expected, of course: President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama lead the list that includes top administration officials, members of Congress, lobbyists, journalists and business titans.

The biggest star among the guests is double Oscar winner Robert De Niro and his wife, Grace Hightower De Niro.

Also there is British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, nominated for an Oscar for his role in 12 Years a Slave, which won the best-picture Oscar earlier this year.

A newcomer to the boldfaced crowd is Uzo Aduba, the American-born actress of Nigerian descent who plays "Crazy Eyes" in Orange is the New Black.

The hundreds of guests are dining on such delectables as chilled tomato soup, chopped vegetable salad, grilled dry-aged beef, crispy plantains, braised summer greens, sweet potatoes, cappuccino fudge cake, and white and red wines, though many of the Africans do not drink for religious reasons.